Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 4 New Zealand | Page 12

La dolce vita Inspired by the owners’ Italian heritage, this house offers a modern interpretation of traditional Mediterranean island architecture It’s easy to conjure up a picture of the Mediterranean islands off the coast of Italy and Greece, where sun-kissed whitewashed buildings are contrasted by a deep blue sea and a vivid sky. The character and sense of escape that define such islands has influenced the design of this new house overlooking the Swan River in Perth. Architect Anthony Rechichi says he has known the owners for many years, and designed their former home. “The family is originally from Sicily and has a very proud Italian heritage that I wanted to reference in the design. There are similarities between the Mediterranean islands and this site, which is perched up high, with sweeping 180° views across the deep blue river to the city beyond. “There was a clear opportunity to provide a Modernist interpretation of the archetypal Mediterranean architecture. Preceding pages and these pages: This new house by architect Anthony Rechichi is a composition of layered planes, solid forms and transparent voids. search | save | share at trendsideas.com It seemed an appropriate design response to the site.” On both the exterior and interior, the house appears as a layered composition of horizontal and vertical planes. “The design also contrasts solid forms with voids and transparency, establishing a dialogue between open and closed elements,” says Rechichi. “And there is a sense of attachment and detachment. Some forms appear to float, while others are anchored, and punctuations in the facade are contrasted by extrusions.”